Zuma dishonest
HALF the crowd that attended the ANC centenary celebrations left the stadium before Jacob Zuma spoke. This is the second time Zuma has addressed (empty) chairs and marshals.
Last year on June 16, Zuma arrived late at Orlando Stadium. Half the crowd came more to enjoy the music than listen to Zuma. The main reason is that he dwells on the past, hides behind Mandela's stature and makes many promises.
We must recall the promises made since Zuma took over as ANC president. He promised to serve only one term but he has somersaulted to avail himself at Mangaung. He also promised to push for a resolution to limit a leader to only two terms as ANC president.
He promised a conference on moral regeneration but there was no conference, despite the many scandals of his administration being exposed.
He promised to close the gap between rich and poor but we have seen his family and close allies grabbing tenders. This angered Cosatu but the SACP defended Zuma.
We are still waiting for massive empowerment of broad- based co-operatives. The reality is that those close to Zuma are great looters. We see ministers buying bling cars and sleeping in expensive hotels when millions of jobs have been lost. Last year job creation did not materialise.
We were promised free education at tertiary level but this has not happened. Yet there is money for cars for the president's ministers and wives.
Councillors who did not return after the 2010 local government elections will get three months' gratuity salaries but there is no money to re-employ retrenched teachers in the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and Northern Cape. We were promised universities, where are they?
He promised "loud" diplomacy to deal with Robert Mugabe, but already Mugabe is undermining him by forging ahead with elections.
We still wait for rural development pioneered at Inkandla. He promised to lead ethically and with integrity but he engaged in a sex scandal with Sonono Khoza.
The crowd gave Mbeki a resounding welcome and when Zuma was about to speak half the audience was gone because his speeches are predictable.
That is why he decided not to sing "Umshini Wami".
Dorcas Lulu Makhudu
Tzaneen
